Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the world headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 29, 2026. Ford was in Salt Lake City, Utah, as part of a broader trip to visit with state and business leaders. The premier was given a guided tour of Temple Square, including the historic Tabernacle and the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford (centre) visits Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, with Gordon Smith (left), former U.S. senator from Oregon and current director of Church hosting, and Rob Freeze (right), Canada Area communication director, on June 29, 2026.
- (From left) Ontario Premier Doug Ford greets Tabernacle organist Brian Mathias, Sharon Smith and Gordon Smith in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on June 29, 2026.
- Tabernacle organist Brian Mathias hosts Ontario Premier Doug Ford for a tour of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, including the history of the building and its organ as well as a brief recital, on June 29, 2026.
- (From left) Colton Miles, Rob Freeze, Earl Provost (Ontario agent-general), Gordon Smith, Premier Doug Ford, Brian Mathias and Will Bouma (MPP for Brantford–Brant) at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on June 29, 2026.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford tours the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 29, 2026.
- (From left) Will Bouma (parliamentary assistant and MPP for Brantford–Brant), Colton Miles, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Rob Freeze and Gordon Smith at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 29, 2026.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford tours the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 29, 2026.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford (front row, seated second from left) and other Ontario government and Church representatives listen to Tabernacle organist Brian Mathias at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on June 29, 2026.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Temple Square, one of the most visited religious sites in the United States, welcomes millions of visitors each year. Its exhibits teach about Jesus Christ and explain the purpose of temples — sacred spaces centred on faith, family, service and covenants with God.
Ford toured Temple Square with former Oregon U.S. Senator Gordon Smith and his wife, Sharon, who are currently serving as directors of Church hosting. They were accompanied by Will Bouma, parliamentary assistant and member of provincial parliament for Brantford–Brant; Earl Provost, Ontario agent-general; Rob Freeze, Canada Area director of communications; and Colton Miles, director of domestic government relations.
While visiting the Tabernacle, the group enjoyed a tour led by Brian Mathias, one of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s three full-time organists. The tour included a history of the Tabernacle and its organ, as well as an organ demonstration and brief recital.
After a multi-year closure for extensive renovations, the Salt Lake Temple will reopen to the public in spring 2027. A public open house will run from April 5 to October 1, 2027, during which time visitors can tour the newly renovated temple. For more information or to reserve a tour, visit the Temple Square website.